Leave Him Be (Private/Sero)

Deep underneath the earth of the centermost island in the Isle of Whispers lay a sanctum. This sanctum was the source of the maddening effects that permeated every square inch of the Isles. Its structure was equivalent to an medieval gothic cathedral albeit with a barren interior. Marble walls supported the room and in the center of it all was a single blade entrenched in a glowing stone. The stone pulsated with a dark energy and with every hearbeat the soil of the island became more cursed and unbearable to the minds of mere mortals. Few were able to resist the Isles effects and so on the rare occurrence that someone demonstrated immunity to its properties, that individual became a person of interest not just to the government of Kirigakure but to the secret society that called the Isles their home.

Twenty meters south of the sword, a ritual was taking place. A young man lay sprawled out in the center. A series of concentric rings radiating out from to every corner of the room. The Kaguya-Hozuki hybrid had been paralyzed for the purpose of sealing process. Hizashi could reason with him to remain still but he decided that he did not want to risk messing up such a delicate procedure. He trusted the kid's intelligence but there was something in his soul that wasn't quite right. There was no telling how he'd react to Hizashi's words, the sealing process, or the ray of insanity being given off by the sword to his north. It was best to keep him restrained until the ritual was complete.

Hizashi knelt and formed a tiger seal. There were four rings in total and atop each of them stood a circle of minions all clothed in dark robes. Their facial features were obscured but from where Sero was laying he might be able to recognize a few of them. One of them was none other than the Second Tsuchikage, Nee-san Tetsudashi. Others of varying note and repute were likewise party to the ritual and they all made the same seal. Hizashi spoke a word and then the process began. A stream of energy burst from a nearby gourd and entered into a seal placed on Sero's stomach. The first ring glowed brilliant as the power of the Four Tails made its way into its newest lair.

Hizashi was focused on the ritual but he couldn't help but reflect on the events that had led him to this moment. Underneath his dark blue robes, he grinned. Nariko had been a dead end. He had opted for a method of strategic placement and at the time he felt she'd be a good candidate. Holding all the Bijuu in the same place or even under the umbrella of Honiko's organization was bound to draw attention and chaos. It was a fact of the known world that the more power one directly possessed, the more the cosmos shifted to relieve one of that power. Instead, he found it more useful to place artifacts of power within noteworthy individuals outside of his direct control. Like an appreciating asset, they could grow and groom the artifact. It was essentially a high interest loan that would mature and provide healthy dividends until it was time to cash out. The targets could then be persuaded to his side or simply defeated and the artifact taken back at any moment of his choosing. He had given such artifacts to Nariko and Akame in hopes that they'd bring out the Beasts true potential. Unfortunately, the latter was soon over-encumbered with the bureaucracy of leadership with the latter fell to the plague. When the Shukaku had been transferred to the Twins, he was content to let the scenario play out. As a fellow Jashinist, he found the development amusing. However, he could not afford to let Kumo decide the fate of the Five Tails. Nariko agreed to let him take back his property so long as he did not leave her dead or ill. A man of his word he relieved her of the burden and began to search for a new candidate.

He did not need to search long before coming across a certain dual blooded Kiri-Nin. Hizashi's many spies had informed him of an anomalous human interned at Kirigakure's hospital facility. Further investigation had shown that the young man regularly made his home near the Isle of Whispers. He demonstrated a profound resistance to the Isles maddening effects and actually radiated his own fear based aura. Hizashi found this intriguing and upon further study of the candidate's kekkei genkai background, disposition, and curious pyscho-social profile he decided that he would place the Five Tailed Beast inside Sero. It wasn't hard to get the kid on the Isles and the sealing was going well so far. How Sero would handle a being of significant malevolence however was still uncertain.

I wonder which monster will win out?
My brother beast is not so easily cowed....Humans are but insects to us and this one is little more than a fire ant.

Sero would stir as he slowly began to come too. His mind felt like something was stretched over it. A wool of sorts masking him from gathering his thoughts at first. He knew he wasn't where he had drifted to sleep in the cave. He had been actively preparing to start the day with a meal when suddenly his mind had blacked out. He never saw them coming. Never knew they were there. He was simply taken as a child would be. He had not known of them as most didn't. He had not prepared himself. Slowly as he felt a realization come over him that he had been taken his first instinct was to attempt to move. To look around himself. Only to find himself bound. His wrists tightened against the restraints even as he tried to hydrate through them. Blue eyes shifted to look to each of them. There was not panic there but it was as if he was adopting each of them to memory. His eyes regarded each of them in silence before a growl shifted through the area. Echoing in the chambers as whispers began to sound from the shadows. He wasn't afraid. He was angry.

"Release me."

It was a quiet phrase. A simple warning that did not belong coming from someone so easily captured. Yet it was said and the shadows stretched as he pulled at his restraints once more. Something was off. Something felt different now. Like something was being done to his person against his will. There was a pulse from the sword twenty meters away and as it shifted over him his eyes would shift to being completely black. Not a bit of white left as black veins filled his face. His growl growing louder now as his lips shifted to a transparent dark look to show his teeth. Lined like fangs behind those lips. Like a monster wearing a human face. He felt it. There was an urge connecting to him. Not driving him mad but rising his anger and wrath to the surface. He strained harder. The restraints sounding out a whine now as there was power he should not have. Power that had not been demonstrated. It was as if he was resonating with the sword. His back arched as his mouth opened and an inhuman roar released. The sword shuddering nearby as if responding to the sound of his voice.

"I will not be bound by any man!"

Suddenly there were two pulses resonating with each other. Pulsing at the same time as they raced across the land. Intermingling as lovers might and stealing away life from the island. This was dangerous. Placing him so close to the blade was making both rage barely within the restraints of what one might consider control. Above the cathedral the clouds began to shift as the winds howled. The clouds shifting to reveal what appeared to be a skull wearing a hood with it's claws stretched out around the cathedral itself. Death and chaos becoming reality outside. Whatever this young man was one could hardly consider him human. Still he sensed something else now. Something within him vying for control. Something trying to steal his body from him. Something overwhelming him and pushing his mind out. His hands dug into his restraints as he pushed back. Slamming back against it with a mixture of his own darkness and that of the sword resonating. As he did the swords trembled again as if it wished to go to him. To join with him. The wind howled harder outside as the skull in the sky opened it's maw as if the wind was it's howl. Sero was pushing back against this being now being placed within him. Within the five tails snarled at him and Sero suddenly found himself in a black room....almost like it stretched on forever with a liquid on the floor. He could smell it. Blood soaking around his feet. Nearby from the darkness a massive pair of blue eyes regarded him as a fox like creature stepped forward.

"Another weakling to try and force me into servitude. Who are you to try and force me to cower child of man?"

It's voice seemed to echo on the walls as it Stared Sero down. The pool pulsed with the sword and sent out a small ripple from Sero. The waves of it crashing against the massive paws of the beast. Sero would look down at the ripple before black eyes looked back up at the beast. Sero would step forward despite the pressure being created by the five tails. With each step another ripple would go out. Crashing higher against the paws of the five tails. His skin rippled black as veins stretched from his eyes and neck. Each step causing the waves to rush harder, crash higher until there was blood raining down around them. He stopped in front of the beast and suddenly all was still. The wind was still, the skull in the skies was still and even the sword stopped trembling. For a few seconds the pulse of corruption had stopped. Sero spoke out loud and distant voices in the shadows seemed to echo his words. His very voice commanding even the chaos to be still for but a single moment.

"I may have been born of man, beast. However it would be beneficial to you to understand this one fact. I am an abomination. If you think me weak, my fangs will find your throat and the shock in your eyes will be the last expression you share. I am the fate that awaits the wicked. I am death incarnate come to punish the corrupt in this world. I am Sero and I will not be enslaved or cowed by any being here or from hell itself. If you think this a false statement. Test me. Find out for yourself."

Hizashi grinned as the young man lashed out. He had no desire to be there but it was not within his power to resist them. The sword reacted curiously to his agitation and he could see some of his fellow sealers beginning to lose faith in the wisdom of his choice. The process was stable. Barely. One false move and everything might be destroyed. Hizashi of course would survive (he had his methods) but the boy, the Tailed beast, and his compatriots could very well perish in a mushroom cloud of dark energy. Fortunately, Hizashi had accumulated several lifetime's worth of Fuuin knowledge. He could control the situation. He would control the situation.

Hizashi made a few adjustments and the other sealers followed his lead. The second ring in the ritual circles began to glow. He could tell that the Five Tails was meeting its new host for the first time. They had exchanged words and just as he predicted the two would fight for dominance. Hizashi kept his Tiger Seal in place as more and more of the Bijuu spilled into the Kaguya-Hozuki. He was unbothered by the wild tempest that erupted in the cathedral. It was all going according to plan and soon he'd know whether or not this Sero was truly as the abomination he believed himself to be.

(2/5 Tails)

The second seal would fall into place and for the moment it would seem too much to bare for Sero. His stirrings would go quiet as it seemed like perhaps this may have been a failure after all. Only two tails in and already his body had ceased to resist. However the clouds above did not seem to return to normal. Along with the stillness within Sero the sword seemed to go still for a moment too. Inside of the mind Sero stood before the tailed beast. It had not taken to his words well and growled as one of it's paws lifted and with a mighty shift it slammed into Sero and sent him flying to splash and skid to a stop several meters away in the blood pool. It would scoff at his weakness and turn as if to leave. The pool of blood still now. This human was just a weakling that spoke too highly of himself. A mere insect after all. Nobody to be missed or avenged. Just a wild beast who had met with a fate too strong for him to endure. Two tails being too much for a young man like him. It was almost a pity, wasn't it?

However as all drew still the pillars seemed to shift. Faces of the dead from the isle seemed to stretch out of the stone like it were a thin tapestry. Their maddened faces letting out silent wails. The dead pushed against the walls and floors as the ground trembled. A low growl echoed from deep within Sero as the sword suddenly pulsed out once more. As it touched him his body would pulse as well. Thunder would crash in the clouds above deep within the eyes of the skull. Within the mind Sero would shift. His shoulders and back leaving the pool as if he were sitting up. However as they lifted his whole body lifted with it. Moving from laying to standing in one fluid motion. The five tails would turn to look as Sero's body repaired itself completely like water refilling a cup. It would growl out "Hozuki" as it turned to face him once more. Thinking nothing of this power beyond being slightly more difficult to kill. Sero would step forward though and a sensation would roll out of him to those around him and even the tailed beasts in the area. Something dangerous was here. Something was going to kill them. A fear spreading out now like a corruption of the mind. Sero was dangerous and even the five tails felt hesitation for a moment as Sero looked to him with black eyes. Only the irises were blue and glowing now.

"Master I-"
"Silence. Keep pushing."

The process was nearly complete and he could have none of his subordinates falter at this stage. They knew that if they broke they would face a fate worse than death. The gourd slowly emptied out of the Bijuu and into Sero's spirit. The aura that was manifesting from him intensified. A few of the sealers felt a weakness in their hearts but Hizashi and his core group of followers remained steadfast. All he needed to do was shoot them a look from under his hood and they stiffened themselves. Hizashi closed his eyes and focused on the Sero. He could see the Five Tails entangling itself with this beast. He could feel the raw power emanating from him. For a moment, Hizashi wondered if this monstrosity would not make a better disciple for him than the ones currently serving. It was a passing thought but one that did make him wonder. He eventually dismissed it. This Sero had a purpose of his own and Hizashi doubted it aligned with his own vision for what the world should be. It was better to leave this Sero to his own devices and occasionally keep tabs on him until it was time to take back what he possessed.

(3/5 Tails)

The five tails would feel more of it's power coming to it as this Sero merely stood watching him. The tailed beast could not fathom why it felt this...unmistakable dread from this human child. Like it was in danger. There was no way that such a thing could be. Humans held no strength in comparison. Even their strongest had to band together to defeat just one of them. The chakra in this one was small. Yet somehow it felt so tainted. So dipped in darkness thick as honey. The five tails would roar out in defiance. "You can not stand against me human. Even as we speak I only gain more of my strength. I will crush you entirely!" With that it watched and waited as Sero remained quiet. There were no words now yet Sero would slowly tilt his head. As if curious about this creature in his mind. Sero simply stood there. Not moving or speaking. Yet behind him slowly a pair of eyes opened. As if there was something else already there in the darkness. Glowing blue eyes that would consume the world if allowed. The blood at their feet began to swirl and lift around Sero. His outstretched right hand lifted towards the five tails. As it did the blood began to swirl around the five tails as well.

Something outside the mind was beginning to happen. From the skull in the sky it seemed to weep. Droplets falling outside the area seemed to burn as they hit the ground. The restraints began to peel ever so slightly as the temperature began to rise. It became clear quickly that measures would have to be taken to keep the boil chakra from affecting them. Bubbles began to form on the wall as a blue energy with black spiraling within it encircled Sero's body. The bond was beginning. It felt like a sauna suddenly and the pulse from the sword swept across the island. And sparse life left seemed to quickly burn in a white bubbling foam and die. The boil release was being accepted. It was bonding as it should be. However as it did the connection to the sword seemed to bond with it too. As if the sword, the five tails and the abomination were all bonding at once.

Hizashi could sense the manifestation of Boil Release occurring around them and moved to neutralize it before it could interfere with the process. From the ringleader, a droplets of Water Release enfused ink would scatter throughout the room. Each individual droplet of water-ink contained a fuuinjutsu capable of sealing the acid rain as it manifested. Hizashi grinned as he pressed forward with the sealing ritual. He could tell that the Five Tails had more than met its match. It was a good thing too for if the Beast managed to obliterate this host then he wasn't sure whether he could trust another to carry its burden. It appeared as though Sero was shaping up to be the perfect host.

Another ring glowed signaling that the grand finale of the sealing process was close at hand. While Hizashi continued to lead his men in the grand orchestra he was also watching the duel between monsters.

(4/5 Tails)

The Five tails would snarl out at the man before him. It shouldn't be possible. It shouldn't happen. No mere man should be capable of standing against a tailed beast. For a moment it seemed to consider that the man in charge of all this was aiding the boy somehow. However it couldn't shake that feeling. It couldn't bring itself to charge this boy. Something felt wrong. The Five tails would look down at its own paws to see them shaking. Was it afraid? Or excited? It was impossible to tell. The Five tails would force itself to take a step forward and as it did Sero locked eyes with it. Blue eyes staring at blue eyes. For a moment the five tails was frozen in place. It saw something there. An empty and cold space. As if there was no soul behind those eyes. As if no matter what the tailed beast did it could not overcome this child. The five tails would begin gathering chakra in it's mouth before launching out a ball of boil release. The ball would launch across the floor parting the blood as it passed. However as it reached Sero it seemed to stop and split apart before slamming into the blood in five different directions around Sero. For a moment as the blood splattered it looked as if Sero had five nearly transparent tails. The fifth one still just a nub but growing. One moment there would be Sero standing still as the blood rained down and the next Sero was right in front of the trembling five tails. He hadn't stepped but one moment he was simply there. Cold blue eyes staring into the eyes of the five tails. Sero did not attack but the five tails knew one thing. He could not stop this bond.

Outside as the seals were put in place the boil release combination had been fully countered expertly. It howled against the seals but soon it was apparent it was not strong enough to break through. After a moment had passed suddenly the wind stopped howling. The rain stopped pouring and the clouds faded back to normal. The cloaked skull in the sky becoming just a memory. For once there was stillness and it seemed as if perhaps Sero had reached his limit. The stillness sat on the air like a staleness as not a single breeze passed through. After all the horrors that had transpired it felt like peace had finally come. One of the npc let out a sigh of relief while still holding his concentration. When he looked up again his eyes began to tremble as he stared face to face with Sero. Blue eyes fogged over from being locked inside his mind but yet still somehow his body had moved. Restraints still holding him back. Yet he was there as he tilted his head and stared into the soul of one of the servants of this man who had captured him. As if drawn to the sound he had made.

"He's awake!" the man shouted as he moved to scramble out of the area. One look from Hizashi kept him right where he was.

"We're are almost done. Hold steady."

No one got up to move. They were caught between two devils. The sealing process continued and the gourd was slowly emptied of the last of the Five Tails. The final ring glowed and then all five burned bright with a blue energy. Hizashi broke his seal and clapped his hands, in a shuddering succession all of the co-seals performed the same action. The room suddenly went dark and the sword ceased pulsing. A dark quiet fell over the group as the last bit of demonic chakra entered into Sero.

"What have we done?" one of the men lamented. Hizashi slowly stood and his compariots followed him. Sero shouldn't have been able to wake up during the procedure but Hizashi had suspected that there was something strange about this young man. Strange enough that he had the power to defy the artificial coma they had put him in.

(5/5 Tails)

Sero would slowly reach up. The dark place in his mind with the two standing in a pool of blood. The white fox would snarl at him but was held by the blue eyes staring into its soul. It's very being locked into place by those blue eyes so much like it's own. It held until the hand touched it's cheek and suddenly red chains would raise from the blood. Piercing through Sero's heart and the heart of the five tails as the two were dragged together. The blood rose as it swirled around them and bound them. Encircling them until it was one solid spinning orb and slowly it picked up speed until suddenly it all stopped. Dropping with a splash as Sero stood there alone. He could feel it's presence still but for now he felt only the bond on the edge of his thoughts. There was something else. Something going on outside his mind. Where was he...what was he doing? There was something hazy just on the edge of his mind. He focused on it and there was... a mans face. Horrified and twisted. He was sitting right in front of him. Staring at him. How odd.

The one who questioned what they had done was the only one to die that day. Even as they prepared to leave Sero there as he collapsed after the final seal there was only a momentary hint that something terrible was coming. A flash of energy pulsed from the sword and all the color drained out of everything but those shining blue eyes. Even as the man turned to look all he saw was Sero standing before him. A hand reached out and slowly it would carress the side of the mans face. Watching as he stood there with his lips trembling. Unable to move. Unable to speak. Tears welling up in his eyes as he knew he would not survive this. Soon he would be overcoming his fear though with another sensation. Pain. The man began to scream as he dropped to his knee's. Clutching at his face where Sero had touched him before pulling his hands away. His skin sticking to his fingers like warm puddy. His face was melting and soon he was clutching at his throat and gurgling as he choked on his own face juices. With that though Sero had used up all he had. He collapsed where they had placed him. Truly unconcious.

It looked as though the process had been successfully completed without incident or tragedy. Hizashi was mildly amused at the fortunate turn of events. He was about to turn to leave (his assistants could dump the boy back where they had found him) when he sensed something. The sword stuck in the center of the stone flashed violently and then suddenly Sero was standing. Hizashi considered interrupting the boy but at the last moment he decided against it. The man was expendable but this reaction was not. Sero accosted the sealer and turned his face into a puddle of liquid. The movement was so fast and precise that no one else had time to move. Hizashi saw it all in slow motion but was intrigued by how much gutso the jinchurikki had shown. Normally, he shouldn't be awake let alone moving. When the comrade had fallen, Hizashi turned to the collapsed Sero. He could punish him for this but what good would that do? The man he had killed was lowly. If it had been one of his lieutenants, he would be angry. Not just at Sero but at his subordinate for being so weak and himself being a poor judge of character. Sero had selected his target wisely although it was more likely than not the primal expression of fear that drew him to the victim. It was like a moth to a flame.

"Take him back to where you found him" Hizashi said quietly.

No one moved. They were afraid.

Suddenly one of them began to wheeze, his lungs rapidly filling with water. That was all it took to get them moving again for they knew Hizashi would be far less merciful should he decided to correct them. Sero would be gathered from the spot, taken to his last known location, and left believing whatever he wanted to believe about this night.

[End Thread]

Sero would be no bother to anyone after his surprising feat of destroying some low on the totem sealer. It had taken all he had to fight through the seal on him and kill one of his would be attackers. However the horribly dead man on the floor abandoned by the others who returned Sero to his cave would serve as one thing. A promise not easily forgotten. Sero would eventually remember this happened. He would eventually remember this place and these people and when all was said and done, when he truly claimed his power he would come for them. All of them. In the end he would come for Hizashi too and despite all his power and influence the man would learn one thing. Never bring up more devils than you can put down.

Exit thread
6 posts x 20 = 120